High Tor
The site is tucked behind a bushland reserve atop the eastern edge of Castlecrag. The terrain is steep with expansive views to the north-east across Peach Tree Bay to Seaforth and to the south-east down Middle Harbour, Beauty Point and The Spit. The existing house, which is cut into the steep slope of the site, is accessed via a series of complicated stairs and paths. It is poorly arranged internally and does not take advantage of views or its northern aspect. The alterations and additions address these issues and provide much needed upgrades to the external finishes. The work also reinstate views through the site from the bushland reserve beyond to Middle Harbour, one of council’s main objectives of this site. A primary challenge of this project was compliance with the height datum of the site against the bulky square and non-compliant form of the existing dwelling. This is achieved through the segmentation of the existing square roof form which both informs the internal programme of the house and provides greater compliance with council’s height limit. The main living level is reorientated around a central, protected external courtyard which is accessed from the new living areas of the house along the eastern side. The reconfiguration throughout the house increases privacy and the access to natural sunlight and views to the east from all living spaces and bedrooms. Externally, the use of natural and darker raw materials aid in diminishing the scale of the dwelling on the site, whilst reconfiguration to the lower pool area and gardens further reinforce the overall natural aesthetic of the project.